Cigar bunch shaping machine



May 9, 1939. H. H. WHEELER CIGAR BUNCH SHAPING MACHINE Filed May 16,1935 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 6.

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ATTORNEY May 9, 1939. H. H. WHEELER CIGAR BUNCH SHAPING MACHINE FiledMay 16, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Y W S.

ATTORNEY .C m QC W.

y 1939- H. H. WHEELER 2,157,537

CIGAR BUNCH SHAPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 155 FIG. 4

/77 /63 ,9! INVEIIZIOR g V a W ATTORNEY- May 9, 1939. H. H. WHEELERCIGAR BUNCH SHAPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG; 8

I INIVENTOIR BY MQENEY FIGJ y 1939- H. H..WHEELER 2,157,537

CIGAR BUNCH SHAPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 mIHIIIIIIi y 9, 1939. H. H. WHEELER 2,157,537

CIGAR BUNCH SHAPING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet e FIG.I2

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INVENTOR wy EM Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE CEGARBUNCH SHAJPHNG MACHINE Application May 16, 1935, Serial No. 21,723

44 Claims. (oi. 131-9 The invention relates to cigar bunch machines ofthe general type disclosed in the United States patent to Wheeler, No,1,964,101, dated June 26,

1934, wherein cigar bunches are loaded into pockets of a rotating ortraveling conveyor, and in which the cigars are compressed or shaped tofinal cigar form.

In the machine disclosed in the Wheeler patent, one conveyor having aseries of pockets was prom vided for receiving the cigar bunches fromtheoperator, from which conveyor the cigars went to a second pocketedconveyor in which the shaping of the bunches was completed. One of theprincipal objects of the present invention is to is secure the sameadvantages and results, or betsametime the advantages of the pluralarrange- 25 ment above referred to.

Another important object of the invention is to secure with a Singleendless series of shaper or concentrator pockets the efiect of an openend pocket for trimming and a closed end pocket for 30 shapingcompletely one end of the bunch, and to do this with the same pocketsu-It is also an object of the invention to provide a single rotary ortraveling conveyor having an endless series of pockets with means forplacing 35 and removing covers on said pockets and circulating saidcovers so as to leavea plurality of pockets uncovered and exposed for aloading ofthe bunches by the operator, permitting the operator to catchup on easy bunches the time, lost 40 on difficult bunches. In thisconnection, it is one purpose of the invention to provide a simple andeffective operatingmeans for said covers, par-.

ticularly one adapted to use with existing cigar machines. Thus it is anobject of the invention 45 to secure the movement of the cover operating7 mechanism irom the motion of the bearing shaft of the pocketed turretor rotary carrier about its axis, without the complication and possible50 operating linkage.

wear and'lostmot'ion"resulting from extensive g,

sun another object of the invention is to pmvide means for trimming theportions of the bunches projecting from open upper pocket portionsand atthe same time permit complete shap- 56 ing of the bunch at one endin theclosed lower 1 pocket portions in order to secure fully shaped headends. The invention also contemplates the relocating of the bunchsubsequent to trimming and before shaping in order to compensate for theprojecting or surplus material left after trim- 5 ming in the slot oropening in the end of the open portion of the shaping pocket. Anotherobject is to provide an alternative way of disposing of this surplusmaterial by prodding the same inwardly at said slot, though it should beunderstood that the invention may be practiced without said relocatingor prodding in of'the surplus material. I

The invention also contemplates a more eiiicient 'arrangementof theshaper turret and wrapper die turrets with respect to each other and thewrapping mechanism of the cigar machine than hitherto available, andimproved transfer means for use therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ejector arrangement,particularly one of the type having pins fitting the contour of thecigar, adapted to the single turret or conveyor construction andoperated in a simple manner by the rotationof said turret,

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view,-theinvention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafterfully set forth and then pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which like characters of referenceindicate the same or like parts,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken.away; of the assembled machine; I

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the shaper turret; Fig. 3 is a sectionalview of a side elevation of the shaper turret and its. operatingmechanis on line 3'3 ofFig.2; I

Fig. 4 isa detail plan view of the transfer de- 40 vice shown in Fig. 1;Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation of the transfer deyice of Fig, 4;

'Fig. 5a. is a sectional planview of a detail in Fig. 4;

.Fig. 6 is a detailside' view or a part shown in Fig.2; f

Fig. 7 is a detail sideview of a locking device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a sectionalview on the line 8--8 of Fig. 2;

Fi r

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line H-ll of Fi 9;

Fig. 12 is a detail view of a side elevation showing a piece for pushingmaterial at an open end of the shaper turret;

Fig. 13 is a detail plan view of a modification of the invention; and

Fig. 14 is a detail showing the trimming slot.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the improved machine consistsgenerally of a shaper turret T, a wrapper cutter die D, a wrappertransfer mechanism W, and wrapper rolling means R for rolling a wrapperonto a shaped bunch to produce the completed cigar. The units T, D, R,and W are mounted on the main frame 2! of the cigar machine, the wrapperdie being mounted on a table 22 secured to said frame.

As shown in Fig. 1, cigar bunches to be shaped in the turret T areplaced by an operator in one of the shaping pockets 23. The cigars areshaped during the intermittent rotation of the turret and aftertraveling nearly a complete revolution on the turret are ejected at theposition 26 into the transfer 25 wherein the cigar bunch is conveyed,and at the same time turned 90 degrees and delivered into the rollingmechanism R. In the meantime a wrapper leaf has been applied by anoperator to the die 26 on the die turret D. The turret D rotates 180degrees carrying the wrapper leaf on the die 26 under cutter rollers 21to form the wrapper. The cut wrapper is picked up by the suction head 26of the wrapper delivering transfer W and is then delivered onto therotating bunch in the wrapper rolling mechanism R to form the completelywrapped cigar in a manner well known in this art. The shaping turret Tconsists of a drum 29' having in its periphery a plurality of shapingpockets 23 arranged in an endless circular series on said drum. Thesepockets are 01 cigar shape to receiver a cigar bunch and surround thesame on three sides with the upper side open, and each pocket hasupstanding straight parallel walls designed to receive a closely fittingmale cover 31. This cover isintegral with a supporting bar 32 having endprojections 33 which may be provided with suitable rollers 34a by whichthe covers are operated, as hereinafter described.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 11, the end walls of the pockets 23 are providedwith openings through which the surplus material or tail portions of thebunch may project and into which said surplus is tucked down by theoperator in placing the bunch in the pocket. The tuck end of the shaperpocket is open even when the cover 3! is in closed position, a slot 36being provided therein for this purpose. The corresponding slot 36 atthe head end of the pocket wall extends toward the bottom of the pocketto a point more than half the thickness of the cigar bunch from thebottom so that when the cover 3| is in closed position the head endofthe shaping enclosure formed by the pocket and the cover is fully closedto form a completely shaped head end or tip to the cigar bunch, thus,avoiding difllculties due to unshaped surplus material projectingthrough an opening. In this particular respect the pocket is similar tothat disclosed in the application for United States Patent by John F.Halstead, Serial No. 1,380, filed January 11, 1935. a

The drum 29 carrying the several shaping pockets is intermittentlyindexed by increments equal to the distance between pockets to bring thepockets to the operating stations, presently to be described, by meansof a main drive shaft 31 having a beveled gear 38 engaging a beveledgear 39 secured to auxiliary drive shaft 40. This shaft 46 carries anindex cam 4| having a cam groove 42 which engages successive rollers oftheindex rollers 43 mounted on an index plate 44 carried by an indexshaft 45. A gear 46 secured to index shaft engages ring gear 61 securedto the drum and thus communicates the index motion to said drum.

The drum is suitably supported for rotation on a shaft 50 carried in abearing 5| supported by drum bracket 52 which is suitably supported fromthe main frame of the cigar machine. Also secured to the drum bracket 52is a laterally extending bracket 53 at the outboard end of which ismounted a bearing and cover plate 66 supporting the outboard bearing 65for the shaft 50. This plate is slotted at 5611 to receive an ejectorbracket 56 slidable therein, carrying ejector pins 51 which are arrangedwith ejecting surfaces of bunch shaped contour to lift a bunch from ,thepocket or transfer. A cam roller 58 on the bracket 56 engages theinnermost cam track of a cam 60 which serves to control the ejectingmovement. The cam 60 is secured to the shaft 50 which shaft is rotatedindependently of the turret or drum 29, by means of a gear 6| secured tothe shaft and meshing with a gear 62 fastened to the shaft 40. A cam 63is also secured to the shaft 50 for the purpose presently to bedescribed. 1

be given a movement suflicient to seat the punch to proper trimmingdepth about 54;" above completely bottomed position. The drum 29, afterwithdrawal of the member 66, is indexed to the trimming station where atrimmer H trims surplus material projecting through the open pocket endsat the tuck and head ends of the bunch. In the form shown in Fig. 2, themember 66 does not completely close the head end of the bunch, therebeing a small opening to receive the projecting surplus or tail portionat the head end of the bunch. As will presently be described, it ispractical and indeed in some instances preferable to combine thetrimming and seating operations at the seating station at three o'clockposition, as just mentioned.

At the next station shown in detail in Fig. 8, a seating and compressingclosure plunger 66a mounted on slides 66a and 65a is given a movementinto the pockets to compress and shape the trimmed bunch. This closuremember 6611 is operated by means of cam rollers 68 secured to .theslides and engaging cam grooves 69 and 16 in the cams 60 and 63respectively. Since the operating means of the closure 66 are identicalwith the operating means just described for the plunger 66a, the formermeans will not be separately described. The plunger 66!! is, however,

' set closer to the bottom of the pocket so that and it is one or, theprincipal features of the present invention to produce this head in thesame pocket as that in which the bunches are originally loaded, in themanner above described, so that the complication of a plurality ofpocketed drums and transfers therebetween, etc., is avoided.

While not necessary in most instances, a desirable additional feature ofthe present invention consists of a locator movable against one end ofthe bunch, preferably the head end. This locator consists of a locatingpin l lextending through an opening inthe slide 65a and operated bymeansof a bell crank '75 having an operating roller 76 which is engagedby the cover carrying arm ll to be presently described. The timing ofthis locator is such that the locating pin engages the bunch prior tothe movement of the compressing plunger 6611 so that the compressingprojecting inwardly from said cover operating elements one to eitherside of the bifurcated portion thereof, engage cam surfaces 8| of thecams 69 and 63. The form of this cam surface shown in Fig. 2 is suchthat for the larger part of the operation of the machine the coveroperating elements ll remain with their recessed cover engaging portionslla in alignment with the path of travel of the rollers 341a of saidcovers while in closed or seated position in the pockets. As shown indetail in Fig. 7, each of the elements T? is provided with a springpressed latch. 82 positioned to engage in a depression 83 in the cams 60and 63. The recesses Tia (Fig. 6) have seated therein spring pressedlatches 84 which engage depressions 85 in the ends of the bearings 95aof the covers.

As a result of the continued motion of the cams 60 and 63 the high partof the cani'surface 8i lifts the elements 11 to the position shown inFig. 2 in which the element is latched to said cams by the latches 82.Since this operating element has received a cover during the aligneddwell of the recesses 11a in the path of the rollers 34a, the cover iscarried outwardly by this operating element. Due to being latched to thecams 60 and 63 the elements 11 travel in unison with the cam 180 degreesuntil the outer end of the element strikes the abutment 86 on thebracket 53. Continued movement of the cam causes the rollers 80 to bemoved radially, carrying the cover recesses on said element intoalignment with the cover roller cam track 81 at which position theelement dwells while the drum 29 is indexed forwardly. The cover whichhas just been moved into the pocket by said element is then displacedlaterally from the recesses 11a and is thereafter controlled by saidcamtrack 81.

ment which has just discharged its cover to the position shown in Fig.2, at the same time lifting a cover at the outer end of said element, asshown on the upper side of Fig. 3, ready to repeat the operation.

In the continued motion of the cams 60 and 63 a low portion of the camis reached which carries the end of the elepace of the cigar machine.

' pocket bottom 9| It is noted that the cover operating element or armis given a movement opposite to the direction of rotation of the drumsso thatthe raised end of the arm does not interfere with the loading ofbunches by an operator in the series of exposed pockets between'twelveoclock and three oclock position, as shown in Fig. 2. The speed ofmovement of arm 11 is greater than that of the individual pockets due tothe fact that the arms travel 180 from cover removal position at the topof the drum to cover applying position at the bottom thereof every timethe drum 53 is' indexed to advance a pocket one stop in the intermittentmovement of the drum. The cover roller cam tracks 91 are formed inflanged rings 8 integral respectively with the plates 59 and 54a madefast to bracket 53 of the machine.

As will be seen from, the foregoing descriptionof the operation of thecover carrying arms 11, one section or quadrant of the circular seriesof pockets 23 on the drum 29 is left exposed at all times for loading;This is important in order that an operator may build up a reserve ofloaded bunches so that the machine will not be stopped when the operatormisses a bunch or two, or otherwise fails to keep up for a moment withthe By the present construction, applicant is able to both load bunchesand completely shape them in the same drum and pockets thereof. This hedoes without interference from the pocket covers of which he circulatesa number less than the total number of pockets in order to leave thepockets exposed, and at the same time'he avoids interference with theexposed pockets by carrying them over the closed pockets of the seriesfrom one pocket at one end of the exposed section to another pocket atthe other end of the exposed section, where the cover is replaced.

A modified form of the invention is rendered somewhat simpler by the useof a displaceable which serves to eject the bunches. This pocket bottomis slidable in a recess 92, there being one recess and pocket bottom foreach shaper position about the periphery of the drum. Each bottomelement is provided with a stem 93 slidable in a slideway94 and on thelower end of the stem is a cam follower roller 95 which engages in a camgroove 96 of the cam 91. This cam 9'! is secured to the cam plate 98which in turn is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith.

This modified form of the invention is provided wih seating,' trimmingand compressing stations, including the seating element 99 and thecompressing element I00 and the trimming knife IOI. Since eachof theseoperates in exactly the same manner, and is of the same construction asthe same parts 66, 66a, and H, re-

. spectively, of the preferred form no further description will be givenof theseparts except to note that the slides thereof are operated bycams 98 and I02 secured to the shaft 50.

In the operation of the shaping parts of the drum 9!! when the seatingplunger 99 is pushed in it seats the bunch on the displaceable pocketbottom but leaves said bottom in partialiy raised position, as shown inFig. 11, so that the material projecting from the head end of the bunchmay extend straight through a slotted-end portion I03 similar to thatalready described at 36 in connection with the form shown in'Figs. l and2; The projecting material is then trimmed by the knife I0! and passesto the compressing and shaping plunger I00 which has sufiicient travelto fully seat said pocket section in its recess with the shaped plungerface fully closing the head end of the bunch to produce a fully shapedbunch. As shown in Fig. 11, a similar locating device to that shown inthe preferred form illustrated in Fig. 8 is provided which is in allrespects identical and is therefore not to be described further. Alocating back stop I04 is provided at the tuck end of the shaperplunger.

Flanges I05 and I06 secured to the cams 98 and I02, respectively, areprovided with depressions similar to'the depressions 83 already referredto and external cam surfaces similar in shape to the cam surfaces 8|,also referred to, and operate the cover carrying arms 11 in exactly thesame manner. The drum 90 is driven from the shaft 50 by means of a camsurface I05 integral with the cam 98 which engages cam rollers I06 onindex plate I01 rotating shaft I08 and driving a gear I09 thereonmeshing with a ring gear IIO secured to the drum. Cam track III forcontrolling the pocket covers is secured in stationary position to astationary flange II2 fast to the outboard bearing element II3. Abracket I I6 supports the cam track II1 which is integral with thebracket, at the opposite face of drum The shaft 50 is driven from theauxiliary shaft 40 through gears H8 and H9.

In Fig. 12, there is shown an alternative construction for taking careof the surplus material which lays in the slot 34 after trimming of thehead end of the bunch. In this form a bell crank I having a narrow edgeI2I adapted to enter and close the slot 34, is pivoted at I22 to thebracket 53 (Fig. 2) so that on upward movement of the slide 65a theroller I23 is struck by the portion I24 of said plunger and caused topush the material of the bunch inward through said slot as shown. Ondownward movement of the shaper plunger the plunger strikes set screwI25 and swings the bell crank away from the pocket end. Edge I20therefore closes slot 34' during shaping.

Fig. 13 illustrates a modified trimming device adapted for use with theforms of the invention shown in Figs. 2, 3, 9, and 10-, wherein thetrimming knife is secured to the second shaper plunger as to the plunger66a. This trimming knife I is arranged to lead the projecting edge ofthe shaper sufficiently so that the material projecting through the slot34 of the pocket is trimmed and thereafter the trimmed end of the punchis shaped by the contoured face plunger 66a, so that a completely shapedbunch head is formed in the same pocket andat the same station as thatat which the trimming occurs. Since gum'is apt to accumulate on the faceof the plate I30, a stationary scraper element I3I fixedby a suitablebracket I32 which is secured to the stationary bracket 52 of themachine, is provided which rubs the inner face of the knife as the knifemovesdown with the shaper plunger.

A suitable transfer is provided for taking the bunches ejected by theejector pins 51, or their equivalent, at twelve oclock station of thedrum and delivering them to the rolling mechanism arm. This transfer maytake a variety of forms but as shown it consists of a swinging arm I35swingable from a shaft I36 in a bearing block I31, shaft I36 beingoscillated through a gear I38 which is in turn actuated by a rack I39given reciprocating movement from any suitable means such as a camfollower means driven from the main drive of the cigar machine in timedrelation to the operation of the turret T and the rolling mechanism R.0n the outer end of the' arm I35 there is provided a bracket I40 havingspaced board lugs MI and M2 receiving a shaft I43. Extending fromadjacent the lug I42 is a block I44 carrying a bushing I45 on which isrotatably mounted a bevel gear I46 meshing with a bevel gear I41 securedto the shaft I43. Also mounted for rotation on the bushing I45 is ablock I48 on which are hinged by pins I40 a pair of opposed grippers I50and I5I. These grippers are interconnected by means of toggle links, I52and I53 (see Fig. 4) which serve to keep the grippers fully open when'the gripper operating stem I54 is pushed down by the arm I55 pivoted onlug I56, when said arm I55 engages a stop screw I51 mounted on a bracketarm I58. The gripper fingers I50 and I5I are closed by the breaking ofthe toggle joint when the same engages a cigar, as shown in Fig. 4. Thegripper fingers are normally urged towards closed position by springs I50 and I seated in the block I48 and engaging ledges on the gripperfingers. The block I48 receives motion from the rotation of gear I46through lugs I6I and I62 which project into a recess I63 in the gear. Apin I64 in the gear projects into the recess. Springs engaging thebushing and lugs tend to urge said lugs away from the pin. A pin I 65secured to the bushing engages the lugs as the block is rotated on thebushing through movement of the gear thereon, the distance between thepin engaging surfaces of the lugs being such that the pin I65 can moveonly degrees and thereafter further motion of the gear is taken by thesprings I66 and I61. This has the desirable effect of completing the 90degree rotation of the gripper fingers prior to the de-. scending of thefingers to grip or release the cigar, the rotation of the gear beingmade somewhat greater than 90 degrees, say degrees for thispurpose,'thus the fingers are always squarely located in properalignment with the cigar before engaging or releasing the cigar, whichmakes for reliability and accuracy in removing bunches from the drumpockets and placing them in the rolling mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 1, the delivery transfer for transferring wrappersfrom the cutter dies 26 is of the same type and operated by the samemeans as disclosed in the United States patent to Halstead, No.1,824,400, dated September 22, 1931, in which the wrapper suction plate28 is swung on an arm I10 articulated at III, the plate being rotatableabout its own axis on the end of the arm through engagement of a rackI12-, with a gear I13 secured to said plate. Thearm I10 is swung by arack I14 whichengages a gear sector I15 secured to said arm. Trailercams I16 and I11 engage arms I18 and I19 controlling the swinging of thefloating arm I80 on arm I10 and the opera-- tion" of the rack I12,respectively. Rack I14 is operated from drum cam I8I engaging a camfollower I82.

In the foregoing specification, I have described an apparatus and methodillustrativeof certain ways in which the invention may be carried intoeffect. This apparatus and method may be varied widely in constructionwithin'the scope of the claims, for the specific construction and methodselected to illustrate the invention are butcertain f of many possibleembodimentsof the same. The

the trimming knife maybe carried by the same element which seats andcompresses the bunch without any additional seating element orseparatetrimming station. Also it is clear that the operationof the moldcovers, such that a plurality of adjacent pockets are left open forloading, may be used in an arrangement which does not fully close thehead end of the bunch for complete shaping of the tip thereof, and thelatter feature is not to be limited toan arrangement having the loadingfeature in the absence of specific language in the claims.

The operation of the approved shaping machine has been described indetail in connection with the description of the several parts thereof.No detailed description of the operation of the wrapper die turret Dwhich rotates on a horizontal central axis under the cutter rollers 27has been included because this mechanism has been fully disclosed in theUnited States patent to Clausen, No. 1,888,788, for a Cigar wrappercutting mechanism and because the details thereof form no part of thepresent invention. Likewise, the wrapper applying mechanism R is shownmerely in outline. This consists of the customary nest of rollers forrotating a cigar bunch as the wrapper is applied, and is similar to thatdisclosed in detail in the United States patent to Halstead,

No. 1,915,277, for a Cigar wrapping mechanism, to

, which reference is made for further details.

In connection with the locating of the bunches in the pockets of thecarrier drum illustrated in Figs. 8 and 11, it should be noted that thecontour of the cam grooves 69 and It which control the position of theplunger 66a is such that the ejectors 51 at this stationare pushedoutwardly to lift the binder of the bunch away from the pocket bottombefore the locating-element M acts on the bunch. This is desirable toprevent sticking of the binder to the bunch bottom rendering difficultthe endwise locating movement of the bunch. The ejectorsare thenreturned to retracted position prior to the compressing action of theshaper 66a. It should be understood that the ejector at the stationshown in Fig. 8 is identical with that shown in the upper portion ofFig. 3, and accordingly is not separately described.

What is claimed is:

1. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination. an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, a lesser number ofunconnectedshaping covers adapted to close the pockets, and means actingto separately remove said covers from said pockets at one portion ofsaid conveyor and replace them at a different portion of the latter toclose a plurality of pockets of said series for shaping bunches thereinand to leave exposed a plurality of open pockets of the same series forloading.

2. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, shaping covers adapted tocooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, and means coactingwith said covers and said conveyor to keep closed a plurality of thepockets of said series for shaping bunches therein and while exposing aplurality of open pockets of the same series for loading,

said pockets being closed at the head end of the bunch to a height abovethe bottom of the pocket at least equal to half the thickness of thebunch, a trimmer for trimming surplus material projecting from the headend of said pocket, said coacting means operating to fully close thecover on said bunch subsequent to trimming to fully shape in the samepocket the trimmed end of said bunch.

3. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, independent separately movableshaping covers adapted to cooperate with said pockets to close thepockets, and means coacting with-said covers and said conveyor tomaintain closed a plurality of the pockets of said series for shapingbunches therein and to simultaneously expose a plurality of open pocketsof the same series for loading, said means including a cover transfer,and mechanism operating said transfer to carry covers from one end tothe other of a selected portion of the path of said pockets on saidconveyor, to leave the pockets open for loading along the remainingportion of said path. a

4. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, separate shaping coversadapted to cooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, and meanscoacting with said covers and said conveyor to close a plurality of thepockets of said series with covers for shaping bunches therein and leaveexposed a plurality of open pockets of the same series for loading, saidmeans including a cover transfer, and mechanism operating said transferto carry covers one at a time from one end to the other of a selectedportion of the path of said pockets on said conveyor, to leave thepockets open for loading along said portion, said mechanism includingmeans giving said transfer movement over the closed pockets in adirection opposite to the movement of the pockets of the conveyor toavoid interference with loading.

5. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on said coneveyor for movement in an endles path, separate shaping covers adapted tocooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, and means coactingwith said covers and said conveyor to close a plurality of the-pocketsof said series with covers for shaping bunches therein and leave exposeda plurality of open pockets of the same seriesfor loading, said meansincluding a cover transfer member and devices imparting movement to saidtransfer member transverse to the path of said pockets to move thecovers two at a time, one into and the other out of pocket closingposition prior to the movement of another cover by said transfer member,and along the path of movement of the pockets on the conveyor totransfer the cover from one part of said path to another.

6. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, shaping covers adapted tocooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, and means coactingwith said covers and vsaid conveyor to close a plurality of the pocketsof said series with covers one at a time for shaping bunches therein andleave exposed a plurality of open pockets of the same series forloading, said conveyor comprising a rotatable turret having said pocketsarranged :about its periphery, and said' means acting to move the coversradially of said turret into position to close the pockets.

7. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement; in an-endless path, shaping covers adapted tocooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, and means coactingwith said covers and said conveyor to close a plurality of the pocketsof said series with covers one at a time for shaping bunches therein andleave exposed a plurality of open pockets of the same series forloading, said covers being less in number by a plurality of covers thanthe number of said pockets.

8. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, unconnected shaping coversadapted to cooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, and meanscoacting with said covers and said conveyor to close a plurality of thepockets of said series with covers for shaping bunches therein and leaveexposed a plurality of open pockets of the same series for loading, saidmeans including a cover transfer and operating mechanism therefor tosuccessively remove a cover from one packet of said series and replacesaid cover on a different pocket of said series.

9. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, shaping covers adapted tocooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, and means coactingwith said covers and said conveyor to close a plurality of the pocketsof said series with covers for shaping bunches therein and leave exposeda plurality of open pockets of the same series for loading,,said meansincluding a cover operating element having movement transverse to saidpath at two points thereof simultaneously to place a cover on one pocketat one of said points and to remove a cover at the other of said points.

10. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstravelling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on saidconveyor for movement in an endless path, shaping covers adapted tocooperate with said pockets to close the pockets, means coacting withsaid covers and said conveyor to close a plurality of the pockets ofsaid series with covers for shaping bunches therein and leave exposed aplurality of open pockets of the same series for loading,

and a trimmer for trimming surplus bunch material projecting at one endof said pockets, said pockets and covers having coacting shapingsurfaces for fuly closing said-end of the pockets to completely shapesaid bunch end in the same pocket as that in which it was trimed.

11. In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the combination with a series ofbunch shaping pockets, of mechanism moving said pockets in a circularpath and presenting a plurality of said pockets open for loading, bunchshaping covers for said I pockets, and means for removing a coverradially of said path from a pocket at one part of the path andreplacing'said cover on a pocket at another part of said path.

12. In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the combination with a carrierhaving a series of bunch shaping pockets, of mechanism moving saidpockets in a circular path and presenting a plurality of pockets openfor loading, bunch shaping covers for said pockets, and means forremoving a cover from a pocket at one part of the path in a directionradial of said path and replacing said cover on a pocket at another partof said path, said means including an element having cover retainingparts movable about the path of said carrier.

13. In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the combination with a carrierhaving a series of bunch shaping pockets, .of mechanism moving saidpockets in a circular path and presenting a plurality of said pocketsopen for loading, bunch shaping covers for said pockets, and means forremoving a cover from a pocket at one part of the path and replacingsaid cover on a pocket at another part of said path, said meansincluding an element having cover retaining parts movable about the axisof said carrier, and devices for giving said element radial movement toremove and replace the covers.

14. In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the com bination with a series ofbunch shaping pockets, of mechanism moving said pockets in a circularpath, bunch shaping covers for said pockets, and means for removing acover from a pocket at one part of the path and replacing said cover ona pocket at another part of said path, said means including an armextending from one position along said path to a diametrically oppositeone. said arm having cover retaining parts at each end thereof, andoperating means for giving said arm movement transverse to said path toremove said covers and swinging movement to transport said covers alongsaid path.

15. In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the combination with a series ofbunch shaping pockets, of mechanism moving said pockets in a circularpath,. bunch shaping covers. for said pockets, and means for removing acover from.

a pocket at one part of the path and replacing said cover on a. pocketat another part of said path, said means including an arm extending fromone position along said path to a diametri- Cally opposite one, said armhaving cover retaining parts at each end thereof, and operating meansfor giving said arm movement transverse to said path to remove. saidcovers and swinging movement to transport said covers along said path,said operating. means including a continuously rotating member adjacentto said arm, and mechanism cooperating with said member and said arm tosuccessively give said arm radial and swinging motion in response to therotation of said member.

16. In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the combination with a series ofbunch shaping pockets, of mechanism moving said pockets in a circularpath, bunch shaping covers for said pockets, and means for removing acover from a pocket at one part of the path and replacing said cover ona pocket at another part of said path, said means including an armextending from one position along said path to a diametrically oppositeone, said arm having cover retaining parts at each end thereof, andoperating means for giving said arm movement transverse to said path toremove said covers and swinging movement to transport said covers alongsaid path, said operating means including a continuously rotating memberadjacent to said arm, and mechanism cooperating with said member andsaid arm to successively give said arm radial and swinging motion inresponse to the rotation of said member, said mechanism including a camon said rotating member engaging a follower element on said arm.

17, In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the

. in, mold opening and closing members adjacent combination with aseries of bunch shaping pockets, of mechanism moving said pockets in acircular path, bunch shaping covers for said pocketsand means forremoving a cover from a pocket at one part of the path and replacingsaid cover on a pocket at another part of said path, said meansincluding an arm-extending from one position along said path to adiametrically opposite onefsaid arm having cover retaining parts at eachend thereof, and operating means for giving said arm movement transverseto said path to remove said covers and swinging movement to transportsaid covers along said path, said operating means including acontinuously rotating member adjacent to said arm, and

mechanism cooperating with said member and said arm to successively givesaid arm radial and swinging motion in response to the rotation of saidmember, said mechanism including a latch for connecting said arm to saidrotating member for movement therewith.

18. In a cigar shaping machine, the combination with a travelling seriesof bunch shaping pockets, of -a number of covers traveling with saidpockets, a trimmer for trimming surplus bunch material projecting at oneend of said pockets, said pockets and covers having coacting shapingsurfaces relatively movable into position to fully close said end of thepocket to completely shape the end of the bunch in the same pocketasthat in which it was trimmed, and means for moving said covers in andout of said position.

19. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlessseries of travelling bunch shaping pockets adapted to receive untrimmedbunches with surplus material projecting from one end of the pocket,said pocket being closed at said end to a height above the bottom of thepocket at least equal to half the thickness of the bunch, a seatingelement having a bunch shaped operating face movable into position tofully seat the head end of said bunch in the pocket, and a trimmermounted on said seating element and leading the operating face thereofto trim the bunch prior to completion of the seating thereof.

20. The method of shaping cigar bunches which consists in locating thebunches in a cigar shaped pocket without fully seating the same so thatsurplus material at the head end of the bunch may project over one endof the pocket, trimming said projecting surplus material, and thenmoving a complementary shaping element into cooperating relationshiptbsaid pocket to fuly enclose said bunch in a cigar shaped space fullyclosed at said end to form a fully'shaped head in the same pocketas thatin which the bunch is trimmed.

21. A cigar bunch shaper comprising in combination, a traveling carrierhaving an endless series of bunch shaped mold pockets having upstandingwalls, a series of mold covers adapted to closely fit within the saidpocket walls and complementary to the pockets to shape a bunch withsaidmold covers, said members having cover engaging parts interengageable asa result of relative movement parallel to the direction of movement ofthe pockets on said carrier, and mechanism giving said members straightrectilinear motion parallel to said Walls to move said covers into andout of pocket fitting position.

22. A-cigar bunch shaper comprising in combination an endless travelingseries of bunch shaped pockets having slotted end walls completelyclosed to a height greater than the radius of the bunch, a series ofshaper members having operating faces complementary to the shape of thepockets, means for moving said members into and out of bunch shapingcoaction with one of said pockets to enclose a cigar shaped spacecompletely closed at said end to shape a bunch therein with the one tipof the bunch completely shaped, said moving means being so constructedas to permit travel of said members with said pockets.

23. A cigar bunch shaper comprising in combination'an endless series ofbunch shaped pockets having end walls completely closed to a heightgreater than the radius of the bunch, a shaper member having anoperating face complementary to the shape of the pockets, means formoving said member into and out of bunch shaping coaction with one ofsaid pockets to enclose a cigar shaped space completely closed at saidend to shape a bunch therein with the one tip of the bunch completelyshaped, said pockets having a slot in said end above the closed portionthereof, and means coacting with said slot to trim surplus bunchmaterial projecting through the slot prior to shaping.

24. A cigar bunch shaper comprising in combination, a series of bunchshaped pockets having openings in their end walls, means coacting withsaid opening to trim surplus bunch material projecting therethrough, aprodding element and devices moving said element into said opening afterthetrimming operation to push the trimmed portion of the bunch withinthe pocket.

25. A cigar bunch shaper comprising in combination, a series of bunchshaped pockets having openings in their end walls, means coacting withsaid opening to trim surplus bunch material projecting therethrough, aprodding element and devices moving said element into said opening afterthe trimming operation to push the trimmed portion of the bunch withinthe pocket, 2, shaper member having an operating face complementary tothe shape of the pockets, mechanism for moving said member into and outof bunch shaping coaction with said pockets to shape a bunch in saidpocket, said devices including connections operating said proddingelement in response to the movement of said member toward cigar shapingposition.

26. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with an endless carrierhaving an endless series of bunch shaped pockets, said pockets beingclosed at one end to a height above the bottom of the pocket greaterthan a radius of a cigar, said pocket wall having an opening above theclosed portion at said end, means for trimming the end portionprojecting above the closed end wall of a bunch in the pocket, and ashaping element complementary to said pocket for shaping the bunchtherein, and means moving said element into position to completely closesaid end of the pocket to fully shape the trimmed end of the bunch.

27. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with an endless carrierhaving an endless series of bunch shaped pockets, said pockets beingclosed at one end to a height above the bottom of the pocket greaterthan a radius of a cigar, said pocket wall having an opening above theclosed portion at said end, means for trimming the end portionprojecting above the closed end wall of a bunch in the pocket, and ashaping element complementary to said pocket for shaping the bunchtherein, and means moving said eleto shaping.

28. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a traveling series ofbunch shaping pockets having openings at one end to receive surplusmaterial at the end of the bunch, means for trimming the projectingsurplus material from the bunch, and means coacting with said pocket tolocate the trimmed bunch endwise therein, said means including devicesfor supporting the bunch above the bottom of the pocket during locating.

29. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with a traveling series ofbunch shaping pockets having openings at one end to receive surplusmaterial at the end of the bunch, means for trimming the projectingsurplus material from the bunch, and means coacting with said pocket tolocate the trimmed bunch endwise therein, said means including devicesfor supporting the bunch above the bottom of the pocket during locating,and a shaping element coacting with said pocket to shape a bunchtherein, mechanism for moving said element into an outer bunch shapingrelation to the pocket; said locating means having connections operableby said mechanism as the shaping element moves toward shaping position.

30. In a cigar machine, the combination with a plurality of elongatedwrapper cutting dies, of means for intermittently rotating said diesfrom a wrapper leaf receiving position to a wrapper delivering position,mechanism for applying a wrapper to a cigar bunch positioned with itsaxis parallel to the length of the die in wrapper delivering position, atraveling carrier rotating about a horizontal axis and traveling in aplane substantially parallel to the axis' of said mecha nism and havinga series of bunch shaping pockets of which a plurality are open at alltimes for manual loading, means for transferring bunches from saidcarrier pockets to said mechanism, and a wrapper delivery transfer fortransferring wrappers from the dies at said delivery position anddelivering the wrappers to a bunch in the mechanism.

31. In a cigar machine, the combination with a plurality of wrappercutting dies, of means for intermittently rotating said dies from awrapper leaf receiving position to a wrapper delivery position,mechanism for applying a wrapper to a cigar bunch, a traveling carrierhaving a series of bunch shaping pockets of which a plurality are openat all times for manual loading, means for transferring bunches fromsaid carrier pockets to said mechanism, a wrapper delivery transfer fortransferring wrappers from the dies at said delivery position anddelivering the wrappers to a bunch in the mechanism, said carriercomprising a drum rotating about a horizontal axis approximately atright angles to the axis of a bunch in said mechanism, and a bunchtransfer for receiving a bunch from one of said shaping pockets swingingabout an axis transverse to the length of the cigar bunch and deliveringthe bunch to said mechanism.

32. In a cigar bunch machine, the combination with means for trimmingcigar bunches, of a traveling series of bunch shaping pockets at leastone of which holds one of the trimmed bunches,

a movable locator for locating the trimmed bunch endwise in one of saidpockets, a coacting shaping element and mechanism moving said elementtoward said pocket to shape the trimmed and located bunch.

3. In a cigar bunch shaping machine, the

' combination with means providing an endless pocket prior to theoperation of the pocket and cover thereon to shape the same.

34. A cigar bunch shaper, comprising in combination, a series of bunchshaped pockets having openings in their end walls, means coacting withsaid openings to trim surplus material of a bunch projectingtherethrough, a closure element for said opening and devices moving saidelement into said opening to push the trimmed portion of the bunchwithin the pocket and close said opening to form a closed end pocket.

35. A cigar bunch shaper, comprising in combination, a series of bunchshaped pockets having openings in their end Walls, means coacting withsaid openings to trim surplus material of a bunch projectingtherethrough, a closure element for said opening and devices moving saidelement into said opening to push the trimmed portion of the bunchwithin the pocket and close said opening to form a closed end pocket,and a shaper member having an operating face complementary to the shapeof the pocket movable into the pocket to close the same, and shape thebunch therein.

36'. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstraveling conveyor,

. ear movement per unit of time than that of the conveyor to a differentportion of the latter and then replace the covers on the pockets.

37. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination, an endlesstraveling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on said conveyorfor movement in an endless path, a number of unconnected shaping coversless in number than the number of said pockets adapted to close saidpockets, and means acting to separately remove said covers from saidpockets and then replace them thereon While leaving a plurality of saidpockets exposed for loading with bunches.

38. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising a continuously revolvingshaft, a turret loosely mounted on said shaft, a series of bunch shapingpockets on said turret, means for intermittently turning said turret onsaid shaft, a number of covers adapted to close said pockets, blocksfastened on said shaft, members slidably mounted on said blocks formovement outwardly and inwardly relative to said turret to remove andreplace covers on said pockets, and a cam for moving said membersoutwardly and inwardly relative to said turret.

39. A cigar bunch shaping'machine comprising in combination, an endlessseries of travelling bunch shaping pockets adapted to receive bunches,said pockets being closed at one end except for a slot at said endextending downwardly from the upper edge of the pocket and to a positionmore than half the diameter of the bunch above the bottom of the pocket,and a seating element having a bunch shaped operating face movable intoposition to fully seat the head end of said bunch below the lower end ofsaid slot to fully shape the tip of the head end of the bunch in saidpocket, and means for moving said element into and out of said position.

40. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination a rotarydrum, a series of pockets having openings in the bottom thereof mountedabout the periphery of said drum for movement in a circular path, bunchejector means movable through the openings in said pockets, covers forsaid pockets, cover operating means movable in a circular pathconcentric to the drum and adjacent to one end of said drum in aposition interfering with communication in an axial direction betweenthe ex terior and interior of 'said drum as a result of said movement, acam located between said cover operating means and the opposite end ofsaid drum, and mechanism including a cam follower engaging said cam forgiving said ejector means movement into and out of ejector position.

41. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination a rotarydrum, a series of bunch shaping pockets mounted'about the periphery ofsaid drum for movement in a circular path, covers for said pockets,cover operating means movable adjacent both ends of said drum always ina direction opposite to the movement of said drum and in a positioninterfering with communication in an axial direction between theexterior and interior of said drum, means for intermittently rotatingsaid drum including a drive shaft external to said drum and the path ofsaid cover operating means, and mechanism driven by said shaft extendinginto the space between one of said cover operating means and the end ofsaid drum, said mechanism coacting with said drum to rotate the same.

42. A cigar bunch shaping machine comprising in combination a rotarydrum, a series of cigar shaped pockets having curved bunch supportingbottoms and openings in the bottom thereof mounted about the peripheryof said drum for movement in a circular path, bunch ejector elementsmovable relative to the bottom and through the openings in said pocketsto remove shaped bunches therefrom, covers for said pockets, coveroperating means movable adjacent both ends of said drum. in a positioninterfering with communication in an axial direction between theexterior and interior of said drum, a cam located between said coveroperating means and the opposite end of said drum, mechanism including acam follower engaging said cam for giving said ejector element movementinto and out of ejector position, and means for intermittently rotatingsaid drum including a drive shaft external to said drum and the path ofsaid cover operating means, and gearing driven from said shaft andextending into the space between one of said cover operating means andthe end of said drum, said means coacting with said drum to rotate thesame.

3. A cigar bunch shaping machine, comprising in combination, an endlesstraveling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on said conveyorfor moven nt in an endless path, shaping covers adapted to cooperatewith said pockets to close said pockets, and means coacting with saidcovers and said conveyor to close a plurality of pockets of said serieswith covers, for shaping bunches therein and to leave exposed aplurality of open pockets of the same series for loading, said conveyorcomprising a rotatable turret on which said pockets arranged about itsperiphery, and means traveling in a diretcion opposite to that of saidturret to convey said covers peripherally and radially of saidturret forclosing and opening said pockets. 1

44. A cigar bunch shaping machine, comprising in combination, an endlesstraveling conveyor, a series of shaping pockets mounted on said conveyorfor movement in an endless path,

shaping covers adapted to cooperate with said pockets to close saidpockets, and means coacting with said covers and said conveyor to closea plurality of said series with covers for shaping bunches therein andto leave exposed a plurality of open pockets of the same series forloading,

said covers being less in number by a plurality of covers than thenumber of said'pockets and being arranged to travel with said pocketsduring the travel of bunches being shaped therein.

HENRY H. WHEELER.

